As I do with the SEC I will be putting up a post with my thoughts on the Big 12. Just some random observations, nothing scripted I assure you. I just let it fly. I have a lot of work to do this time of year obviously so I just sit down and take a few minutes to let it rip. I assure you I have no agenda. Mizzou was obviously a part of this league for so many years it is impossible for us Tiger fans to just cut loose those emotional ties immediately. Too many good memories. Lot's of good road trips to Mizzou away game. My favorite place to go was Lincoln and the battles with Nebraska. I was there for that classic in 1978 when James Wilder and Kellen Winslow had big days. I was there a few years ago when the Tigers blew them out on a saturday night. And yes, I was there as well when the Big Red took the Tigers by the tail and twisted. But the fans were always first class. Anyway, I'm rambling. Onward.
Looks like Charlie is living large right now in Austin. He has shut down the naysayers. Give a good man time to ply his trade and more often than not he will produce. Fan bases can be impatient. Nature of the best. But fact is Charlie has a very solid football team. They were obviously off a monster emotional win over the Irish and they did not slip up the following week as teams so often do. UTEP is no powerhouse but they are also no joke. A 41-7 victory is a job well done by Strong and his staff, they kept their kids focused on the task at hand. A challenge more slippery than most suspect. They need to clean up the penalties. Big game this weekend as they take the show on the road against Cal. I see right now the Horns are laying 8. Better bets on the board I say.
Well Louisiana Monroe was simply in the wrong damn place at the wrong time. Stoops and his Sooner's were looking to kick some sand in somebody's faces and who could blame them. That was a bigger loss to Houston than it appears even at face value. Oklahoma has thrived for decades in Texas with their recruiting. They compete with the other huge programs down there and for years the Cougars were not exactly recruiting the same studs OU was. Herman has clearly flipped that script. That was a monster win for Houston. So Oklahoma was in a nasty mood and somebody had to pay the price. Result was a 59-17 ass kicking. As we all know this weekend is a mega game with Urban Meyer bringing the Buckeyes into Norman. This has all the makings of a instant classic guys. Right now I am seeing Ohio State as the slightest of favorites. Oh brother that will not go over well in that Sooner locker room. Whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game. JMO.
Patterson's Horny Toads had a chance to square off against the Hogs and put another notch in their belts with a win over a quality SEC foe but they came up short. I expected a better defense from TCU than what I have seen. Frankly they have not impressed me much in the opening two weeks. But I am partial to teams that defend, kind of old school that way. This week they take on an Iowa State team that will be smarting after getting drubbed in a rivalry game against the Hawkeyes. Odds makers still showing some love staking them to a 24 point number. Man, that is a lot of points but Cyclones do look pretty weak this year. Once again, better bets on the board.
Not sure what I can really say about that Central Michigan madness in Stillwater against Gundy's Cowpokes. Good Lord Agnes comes to mind. I have to confess, when I saw the ending I laughed. Couldn't help it and nothing personal against Oklahoma State. I like OSU, a friend used to coach the womens basketball team for years, Dickie Halterman. But that is neither here nor there. What can you really say? The Cowboys lost a game they won. How often have you seen that? It puts me to mind a statement one of my high school coaches said after dropping a heart breaker to a club we should have throttled. He told us it never should have come to that. Same deal here, Cowboys should have taken care of business. Plain and simple. They don't have much time to mope, the Pitt Panthers are coming to town this saturday afternoon in an interesting match up. I see right now that Gundy's kids are laying 6. I have a feeling the Panthers will be a dejected bunch boarding the plane home.
I saw the early score between the Baylor Bears and Mustangs and looked twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things. That game started out about as fast as Clydesdale running in the derby. Made no sense. But such is sports and sports betting to those who have a clue. In the end the Bears won a quality game by 27 games. I have a tough time rooting for the Bears right now. Spotlight of truth exposed a lot of rats running amok down there for awhile. Hope they get it all cleaned up. Nothing against the fans in Waco, just a dirty mess and not their first time.
West Virginia won a game against Youngstown State 38-21 to move to 2-0 on the season. I'm still not that sold on the Mountaineers. They beat a team called the Penguins by 17 points.
It was nice while it lasted. The die hard Kansas football fans were rejoicing after winning their home opener. They were sky high, both of them. Lol. But seriously, it was good to see Kansas win a game. Last week reality set in once again as Ohio came into town and crashed the party whipping the Jayhawks 37-21. Hell, Kansas was actually favored in this game and some friends I respect actually played them. I thought about it, for a good ten seconds. This week they hit the road to Memphis to meet the Tigers. Best part of that road trip will be the great Memphis BBQ they will likely consume. My suggestion would be Corky's BBQ but Greg Shaker likely has some more suggestions. Maybe they will stay at the Peabody and get to watch the ducks. Oh well, I'm rambling again.
I admit I could not watch the entire Texas Tech game against Arizona State. It was just not entertaining to me. I loathe games where no defense is played. Hate it. Bores the f k out of me to be blunt. Yes, Mahomes is a good quarterback and fun to watch but it wasn't enough. This week the Red Raiders host Louisiana Tech and I suspect they will light up the scoreboard again. I see them now laying ten and the hook. I lean hosts here but trusting that defense makes me want to puke.
That is it for this week guys. No doubt this is a great time as fans and bettors. I much prefer this to the long hot summer of baseball day after day. Love baseball, but football is king. Not baseball, not basketball, not soccer or hockey. Not MMA or boxing. It is without question to any sane man football.
I do have two big featured releases loaded for this weekend. I have my SEC Game of the Year loaded for saturday and another NFL Triple Star Rabid Dog for sunday. I know, there is always grumbling how GOY's are cursed. Well that is about as true as the Big foot sightings. Fact is most win around here. It is just that when they win they tend to fly under the radar and when one goes down, as some will clearly do, people who bet over their heads stomp their feet and throw tantrums. But, I have observed that behavior for ten years now, it won't change. Not in my lifetime. My straight talk here is this, and I mean it. If anyone is going to buy my SEC game of the year and bet more than they can afford I would personally appreciate it if you did not buy it at all. I cannot be anymore candid than that.
Okay, gotta run. Taking a short break. One of my daughters, Andrea bought a new pup yesterday and I am going across town to meet Sherman, the new addition to our family. He is an 8 week old English Bulldog. Oh brother.
Take care guys and best of luck as always.